Bike tying down in a van

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demographic
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Re: Bike tying down in a van

Post by demographic »

Now, I don't expect you to do it the same as I have.
This is in my van and I'm a carpenter so its set up for my usage. Not too specialised though.
I carry tools in my toolsafe, sometimes carry a motorbike in the back, sometimes I go to a party in a mates woods and sleep in my van and sometimes its got to carry a sofa.

So, with all that in mind, having it fully racked out in the back uses too much space up, not having a toolsafe means its too easy to steal my tools and having it setup like a camper is only good about 0.002% of the time.

So, anyway this is part of my answer to my problem. The metal bits are called clamp heads. All I need is a bit of wood an inch thick with holes where I want them and I have a clamp as long as the bit of wood I find.
This bit of wood has a bit cut out of each end so it fits into notches in ply that is fixed onto my Unwin track.
Image

Then, heres my Unwin track, with my thrown together thick plywood bracket with notch for the end of the clamp timber.
Oh and there's one of the single tie down points, can't say I'm blown away by those. Bit waffy for high loads IMO. OK for hanging a dustpan and brush off though.
Image

Here I've dropped them in place, they're at the same height as the lid of my toolsafe and it's a long wheelbase van so I can clamp a full 8'x4' sheet of ply in place so its not skittering about, or a door/large window. Obviously I set the part of the clamp with the thread on it at in whatever hole in the wood for whatever I'm holding.
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And here showing the height better.
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Like I said, this likely isn't the answer to your problem. Its an answer to mine, mostly.
Its also a work in progress so willl evolve as and when I get time and ideas.
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Rockburner
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Re: Bike tying down in a van

Post by Rockburner »

dayglo jim wrote: Thu Aug 20, 2020 8:44 pm Would there be any fittings already in place (for securing a horse) that you could use or modify (I've never had a horse so I'm guessing here)? Thinking along the idea of minimal adjustment if it is going to be dual use.
When I used to have two or three bikes in a van I used to rely on ratchet straps but it always seemed clumsy and I hoped I'd discover a tidier alternative.
I've always used 1 inch buckle straps. I've seen to many bits get bent or broken by casual, unthinking ratchet strap usage.
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Re: Bike tying down in a van

Post by demographic »

Rockburner wrote: Sat Aug 22, 2020 11:32 am
I've always used 1 inch buckle straps. I've seen to many bits get bent or broken by casual, unthinking ratchet strap usage.
If it's something as heavy as a bike I like the idea of having held in place with something very strong.
No need to go full on stupid tightening it but if I crash I'd rather not have a bike hit me on the back of the lug from inside my own van.
Not so sure those buckle straps would slow it down much.

Strong straps, used properly over weaker straps anyday. Just use a bit of erm... restraint... when tightening them.

IMO like.
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Re: Bike tying down in a van

Post by rodbargee »

Most may have seen our shoehorning of a BMW K1300s into the back ove a LWB Vito Our trailer uses solo bike clamps which are really good bit pricy these days but bloody perfect for the job

http://www.solomotorcycleproducts.com/clamp.html
i have three in the box trailer we use on our trips they fit in no particular order (for us ) Blackbird, multistrada, ZZR1400 would fit to a van floor too easy to adjust to what ever bike you like and really does hold them securely
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Re: Bike tying down in a van

Post by Slenver »

dayglo jim wrote: Thu Aug 20, 2020 8:44 pm Would there be any fittings already in place (for securing a horse) that you could use or modify (I've never had a horse so I'm guessing here)? Thinking along the idea of minimal adjustment if it is going to be dual use.
When I used to have two or three bikes in a van I used to rely on ratchet straps but it always seemed clumsy and I hoped I'd discover a tidier alternative.
I don't think so. Generally you have clean, flat surfaces so it doesn't get an ouchy I guess. I'll have to ask though :)
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Re: Bike tying down in a van

Post by rodbargee »

better late than never here's the zzr14 in the back of the vito dead easyImage
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Re: Bike tying down in a van

Post by Whysub »

I borrowed a Fiat Talento van yesterday to go and pick another bike up. The thing has TWENTY tie down points-at foot, waist and head height. Used just four straps to the waist height tie down points, and a chock under the rear wheel. The bike was as secure as any I've carried before.